Odisha CM Hikes Midday Meal Value By Rs 1

BHUBANESWAR: On the occasion of Children’s Day, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an increase of Rs 1 in the daily midday meal value under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana (PM Poshan) for school children in Odisha.

This decision is expected to benefit around 43 lakh students across more than 50,000 government and government-aided schools in the state, aiming to enhance nutrition and boost school attendance. The daily cost of meals will now rise to Rs 6.90 for primary students and Rs 9.82 for upper primary students, reflecting an adjustment to current market prices.

The announcement came during the state-level Children’s Day celebration, Suravi, held at the Capital High School campus in Unit-3. The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of ensuring that children receive nutritious meals to support their education and development, emphasizing the government’s dedication to combating malnutrition and encouraging school enrollment.